On Broadway

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Excelsior Springs is full of historic buildings lining the streets.  It's just to choose just one thing to paint, so I painted the widest scene possible!  I talked to many people as they walked by, each so nice and friendly!  It was a lovely day for painting in the ExcelsiorSpringsPleinAir, and I'm so happy this painting was the first one selected for a Purchase Award at the Hall of Waters!  Painting number 4665 in 4665 days. 

On Broadway

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It was super fun to paint on Broadway in Excelsior Springs  - and I'm so happy this painting was chosen for a Purchase Award!  I love when paintings find new homes! I parked near here for the Artist check in, and when I scouted up and down the street, I returned to paint this view.  The opposite view also had my attention, so I painted it after turning this one in!  I chose ink and watercolor, and it took me a little longer than usual to get this painting finished.  I visited with many as they walked by, and took my time exploring the details.  I also realized that I was out of ink in my black pen and nearly out in my black violet!  Time to reload before the Liberty Plein Air!  Painting number 4657 in 4657 days. 

Cafe on Broadway

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 I have wanted to paint the streets of Excelsior Springs for years - and today, I seized every opportunity to paint during the Excelsior Springs Plein Air event!  After first painting an ink and watercolor of the street scene in the opposite direction, I turned around to paint this vantage.  This scene called to me - even though it meant standing in the sun for part of it! I waited for my favorite trolley to drive by, too!  What a busy, thriving small town community this is - and so much fun to paint!  This painting was selected for the Purchase Award and of number 4656 in 4656 days. 

Hall of Waters

The Hall of Waters in Excelsior Springs is an iconic slice of local history.  Once a tourist destination for the healing waters, the hall is lined with themed Christmas trees open to the public to vote on their favorite.  What a wonderful tradition to capture in ink and watercolor for our monthly Urban Sketchers KC event.  Glad to have my Mom with me to enjoy her first trip to this town, and to lunch at the local diner after a bit of shopping!  Painting number 3978 in 3978 days. 

Ray's Diner

What fun today was to meet friends and Mom in Excelsior Springs for our monthly Urban Sketchers KC event!  I love the small town charm along these streets, with it's many historic buildings.  This is only my third time to this town, and the first trip for Mom - so it was fun to explore a little more of the place today.  We lunched at this diner afterward where I had an amazing cinnamon roll - even though I don't eat like that, lol! Painting number 3977 in 3977 days. 

Ribbon Tree

What a treat it was to paint the trees at the Hall of Waters!  Reveling in the decorated trees, I completely missed the historic areas one floor down!  Little did I know the bath areas are still there like a step back in time!  Next time, I'll be sure to visit downstairs for a little sketching too!  Painting number 2150 in 2150 days.

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Hall of Trees II

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Christmas is fast approaching as family starts arriving.  Mom got in this afternoon, and the college kids arrive tomorrow.  The hustle and bustle are keeping my mind occupied, as I check off all of those "to dos".  Finding a little time for painting, and right back to work for this girl!  Painting number 2148 in 2148 days.

Bow Tree

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Painting Christmas trees is a wonderful way to celebrate the season. Using another TWSBI fountain pen I found in my sketch bag, I do the line work before adding the watercolor.  As I reached for this pen, I found another that I don't even remember buying!  Hmmmmm, it looks looks I may be a fountain pen hoarder. Well, at least they don't take up too much room!  Painting number 2147 in 2147 days... I think.  Sometimes, I loose track of where I am on the count.  January 1st will be 6 years of completing a painting every single day!  Crazy town!

Hall of Trees ATC

There is a wonderful vintage feel about this place, and the Christmas trees on display are icing on the cake.  I wasn't sure this sweeping view would work in the small ATC size, but it totally does.  I just needed to remain mindful of that perspective.  It was fun to see so many visitors enjoying the trees, a wonderful place to get inspired for the holidays.  Painting number 2138 in 2138 days. 

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Hall of Trees

What a wonderful idea to paint ornaments to share with the group in Excelsior Springs!  We picked them up when we checked in at the Main Springs Art Gallery, then headed over to the Hall of Waters to capture Christmas.  So nice to spend the morning with artist friends.  I have missed this!  Painting number 2137 in 2137 days.

Rays Diner

I arrived early in Excelsior Springs, knowing there would be something I HAD to paint.  This little slice of Americana was the first to grab me!  Great color, mood and full of patrons, I pulled up and painted fast, right in front of the barber shop.  They gave me some funny looks in there!  I guess they don't see artists on location often!  I hope to come back here for a painting weekend, simply too much for a single day!  Painting number 2136 in 2136 days.

Hall of Waters

This morning's Urban Sketchers KC event took place at Hall of Waters in Excelsior Springs.  What a beautiful place, steeped in history.  The grounds are lovely, and the Christmas trees on display were simply icing on the cake.  After completing 5 paintings and meeting back at Main Springs Art Gallery, we had a delightful lunch together at Willow Springs on Main.  Everything was fabulous!  This is the first time in a long time that I really felt like myself.  Thank you, dear artist friends!  Painting number 2135 in 2135 days.

November at the Elms

Tonight finds me sketching in my marvelous handmade watercolor journal with pen and ink.  After staying at The Elms last weekend, the hotel has been on my mind, wanting to be rendered.  It is a challenging subject, as the building is vast and intricate, and I am working from photo reference.  I SO prefer to be standing in front of my subject!  Once I get the drawing where I want it to go, I decide whether to add watercolor or not.  I love the thick, textured handmade paper, and it seems a waste to not apply the watercolor.  I use my tiny travel set of pan watercolors with my new brush pens - and I love them!   The colors are opaque, instead of my usual transparent palette, and the pens are certainly different from my high dollar brushes, but I still love the way this set up uniquely works.  These paintings are not for sale.  I think I will finish the book in its entirety and then decide to keep it or sell it.  It is going to be so much fun to see these pages unfold!   Painting number 1410 in 1410 days :)

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Bend in East Fork

The autumn shades this year are very gentle.  I  love the way the sky was reflecting on the surface of the water, creating those wonderful pops of blue!  Knowing I will probably not have a good shot at strong fall color, I approach my scene as I do all others.  I simply start blocking in the masses, with their subtle shifts in color.  The landscape unfolds naturally, and the color emerges.  I do not try to push it, I'm simply letting it happen.  I'm trying to be mindful of my edges and the brushwork.  Painting number 1405 in 1405 days :)

Oil on panel, 10x8
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Autumn Comes to the Creek Bed

I have wanted to go to The Elms Hotel for years, and we finally had the chance this last weekend!  It is such an amazing place!   This place is steeped in history, with a full spa, pools, hot tubs, restaurant, cafe, tavern, and the wedding reception was in the grand ballroom, which was so beautiful!  This stream winds through the grounds, and the morning light was breathtaking!   It occurs to me that this would be a wonderful place for a destination workshop - so I am already mentally adding it to my growing list of places to teach a workshop!   This autumn painting is the 1404th in 1404 days.  Boy, am I ever loving this warm weather!!

Oil on panel, 10x8
purchase here